Historic clash between British & Irish legends and Classic Wallabies set to add extra roar to Lions Tour

The Lions squad to face Australia for the first time in 12 years has been revealed. But this year they won’t be the only British & Irish Rugby foes stalking Aussie prey.

Legends of British & Irish Rugby, the stalwart veterans themselves, will also make their way to Australian shores for an historic Test against the Classic Wallabies.

The match will take place on the old battleground of North Sydney Oval on Thursday 4 July, adding to the excitement of the countdown to the third and final deciding Test match between the Qantas Wallabies and the British & Irish Lions in Sydney on Saturday 6 July.

Some of the biggest names in Australian, British & Irish Rugby are set to star in the Classics clash, including the very heroes that shaped the memorable history of past Lions Tours.

While teams are yet to be confirmed, spectators can expect to see Rugby royalty from past Wallabies and British & Irish sides.

In what can only be described as an enthralling step back into the timeless realms of Lions history, the game will also act as a significant fundraising initiative for grassroots Rugby.

As part of the Classic Wallabies’ ongoing support for grassroots Rugby, all monies raised at the match will go towards assisting the Australian Schoolboys and local Rugby Clubs.

This is not the first time Classic Rugby players have come face to face in a blockbuster match to raise funds for a worthy cause. The last clash between the Classic All Blacks and Classic Wallabies in 2011 drew a sell-out crowd at Queensland’s Ballymore for the first time in 10 years.

The match saw some of the biggest names in world Rugby came together in support of those devastated by the Christchurch earthquake as Co-President of the Classic Wallabies, Simon Poidevin explains.

“Two years ago the Classic Wallabies played the Classic All Blacks in front of a packed crowd at Ballymore in Queensland. The game raised over $600,000 for the Christchurch earthquake and Queensland flood victims and was a huge success,” Mr Poidevin said.

“We’re replicating this again, this time with the beneficiary being junior and grassroots Rugby in NSW.

“There will be a massive amount of Lions supporters in Sydney that week. That’s one of the reasons the game has been held, to give all those tourists the chance to experience a great Rugby and fundraising event at North Sydney Oval.

“We’re also promoting it to all Sydney Junior Clubs. There will be a major raffle to raise funds. It’s going to be a very big event,” Mr. Poidevin said.

A showcase of Rugby will be on display in the lead up to the battle of the Classics that night. Gates open at 3.30pm, kicking off with a NSW Waratahs Coaching Clinic ahead of a match between the Sydney Juniors and Country Juniors.

At 5.30pm the Australian Parliamentary Rugby Club’s team, the Golden Wombats will face international touring team, the King Penguins, followed by a NSW I v Qld II match as part of the Novotel Australian Schools Championships being held at St Ignatius’ College that week.

Kick off between the Classic Wallabies and British & Irish Legends will take place at 7.45pm. Tickets are on sale now and are available through Ticketmaster.

Further details about the Classic Wallabies v British & Irish Legends match are below:

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